Only 2 days until I leave the Columbus airport, beginning the 24 hour trip taking me to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia at 10pm on January 6th, which will most likely be 2pm to anyone reading this blog.
I'm now working on fitting as many school supplies (donations to the existing schools we'll visit) as possible into the only bag I'm allowed to bring on the trip. Thank you to Nathan Sports for donating 10 Nathan Bags to the runners!
Our team leader, Timothy Young, founder and owner of Food for Thought, has been sending many emails in the last few days regarding logistics of passports, visas, travel insurance, medical supplies, packing lists, etc. Even with these emails and the knowledge of my departure being only 2 days away, the reality that I will soon be in Ethiopia attempting to run 250 miles in 11 days has still not hit me. Maybe the altitude of 8000ft will wake me up when I land in Addis?
Thank you so much for all the support. Thanks to your donations construction has already begun for two of the schools! We are almost there with the third school, you can still donate throughout the duration of the trip at http://www.globalvillagecollection.org/.
I would strongly encourage anyone reading this to watch the documentary "Black Gold" (your library should have it or can order it, and netflix has it as well). This documentary details the exploitation of coffee farmers in the Yirgachffe region of Ethiopia, which is where we will finish our run. The villagers desperately want to send their children to school, yet they quite literally do not have money. The Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU) works hard to give the premiums from the Fair Trade coffee back to the farmers. The documentary shows a meeting where farmers want to build a school for the children of the village but don't have enough money, yet. A father give the powerful statement below, which seals the deal; a decision to build a school is made.
"But if we consult with our leaders, we can also use our co-operative money from the reserves, we can also contribute from our won pockets. Even if I don't have any money, I can sell my shirt and give the money so that my children can learn and for my country to grow."
Your donations are building schools for these people. Thank you.
I may not have internet access while in Ethiopia, but if I do, I will post here. There will be daily updates at http://onthegroundglobal.org/On_The_Ground/RAE_Live.html
Thank you again,
Claire
